Man charged in Johnny Gaudreau’s death will remain in custody for at least another week

The driver accused of killing Columbus Blue Jacket hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, by crashing into them while driving drunk last week is slated to make a virtual appearance in a Salem County court next Friday. The hearing will determine if he can be released until his trial.

Sean Higgins, 43, was charged with two counts of death by auto and other offenses in connection to the deaths of the brothers. His pretrial detention hearing was initially slated for Thursday, when he made a virtual appearance in an orange jumpsuit. Superior Court Judge Michael J. Silvanio said prosecutors and Higgins’ attorneys asked for more time to file exhibits and other briefs.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was a native of Salem County and in town for his sister’s wedding. He and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were on an evening bike ride Aug. 29 in Oldmans Township when Higgins fatally struck them from behind with his Jeep Grand Cherokee as he tried to pass two other cars, according to authorities.

Higgins told a New Jersey state trooper that he’d had up to six beers before the crash, according to the probable cause affidavit. Higgins also told authorities the alcohol contributed to his “impatience.” He would fail a field sobriety test, officials said.

Higgins is a Woodstown resident with strong ties to the Philadelphia region. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a Drexel University graduate, an officer in the Army National Guard, and most recently worked as a financial director for treatment provider Gaudenzia. Higgins’ employer, which has multiple locations in Pennsylvania, announced Thursday he is no longer with the company. The company had initially placed Higgins on leave and did not say whether he’d been fired or quit.

» READ MORE: Driver charged in Johnny Gaudreau’s death is a Drexel grad who works for a Pennsylvania drug rehab firm

Higgins’ family has largely refrained from speaking to reporters. His mother Elaine Higgins told The Inquirer the family was receiving death threats and described the crash as a “pure accident.”

Higgins’ attorneys, Matthew Portella and Richard Klineburger, limited their comments, saying it was too early in the legal process to make out-of-court statements.

“This is a tragedy involving a great deal of emotion and impacting many individuals,” they said in a statement.

The Gaudreau family has also asked for space while they grieve the loss of their loved ones, as the deaths have brought out an outpouring of support across the globe.

On Wednesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames held candlelight vigils for the brothers. In Columbus, there was a 13-minute, 21-second moment of silence for them. Thirteen was the number Johnny Gaudreau wore with the Blue Jackets these past two seasons — he’d spent his first nine with Calgary — and Matthew Gaudreau wore 21 when he played at Boston College, including one season with his brother.

Matthew Gaudreau, who retired from minor league hockey after the 2021-22 season, was expecting his first child with his wife Madeline. A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses and the baby.